Twenty four years ago, much of Uganda was filled with excitement and optimism. A 'bad' regime had fallen and a promise of a new Uganda was made. The heroes were unassuming simple folk from villages, with their child soldiers also known as Kadogos in tow.

There were a few elites, who were the real owners of the revolution though. Many of them spoke a common language, which was perhaps a 'coincidence' and on this we won't dwell.

The former Kadogos are now men and women. Children born on the day Kampala fell have already graduated from university. Many more have died of preventable diseases. The real owners of the struggle have made immense personal progress: money and influence.

Three things about the NRM struggle stood out. First was the intellectualism that characterised the new liberators. The picture of a brainy President who loved his chalk and board and good, if badly pronounced English, mixed with a kind of Kiswahili, to emphasise his Tanzanian education background.

Today, to survive in the ruling party, you must not be seen to be smart enough to have a mind of your own. NRM has the largest number of educated people whose common actions cannot motivate any child to ever go to school. There is no serious intellectual activity today even at universities.

Second, was the distaste for materialism, consumerism and capitalist ways. The picture of a skinny youthful President dressed awkwardly in a (short-sleeved) Kaunda suit worn over a long sleeved shirt folded up to the elbows, occasionally peeping through the Kaunda, drinking out of a plastic mug was re-assuring.

Yet, NRM's 24 years have given to the nation a unique 'gift' of consumerism and materialism that can only be fuelled by graft and wanton theft of public funds. An unacceptably high percentage of Ugandans live beyond their means, a situation that can only compromise their integrity. Legislators will receive bribes. Teachers will sell marks. Married women will be ladies of the night too. Decent businesspeople will be crushed and disgraced for refusing to bribe some high ups.

Third, was the new revolutionaries' debasement of religion and spirituality. These were the days of Chango-Macho, who, in the name of austerity, once urged churches to drink Malwa (a local brew) to save money spent on importing wine for the holy communion.

Today, Museveni, the leader of the NRM revolution is remembered for two things when he speaks. A quote from the Holy Bible and an abuse or two against Amin and Obote. I don't recall how many 'national prayers' have been held. Last month, there was another 'national prayer'. "Prayer works," declared the President as the nation 'prayed for oil' in 2006. NRM cannot recognise itself now if it saw itself in the mirror.

Uganda has made a lot of 'progress' under the 24 years of NRM, in quantitative terms. There are more buildings without approved plans that could collapse any time. More pupils in their 7th grade who cannot spell their middle name. More university students and more graduates who cannot write a decent job application. More cabinet Ministers whom the President thinks sleep most of the time. More districts without resources.

The ruling party will soon nominate its flag bearer for the 2011 presidential elections. Little guess, it will be the 'visionary' leader. His subjects, some of whom just crossed to the Movement the other day will be singing along with the late Franco Luambo Makiadi when he sang for Marshall Mobutu in his hey days in his song, Candidat Mobutu (Candidate Mobutu).

He sang: "Mobutu azongisa la paix na Zaire" (Mobutu has returned peace to Zaire). "Abebisa ata moke te" (he has not made any mistake). "Alembi naano te" (he is not tired). "Nzoto naye ezali naano makasi" (his body is in good health). "Pona nini toluka candidat mosusu?" (Why should we look for another candidate?).

Mr Kalinge-Nyago is an independent researcher and e-learning specialist